Great story -- though it definitely put me through the wringer! I was as horrified as the EMTS when Clark first collapsed (I can't imagine how terrifying it would be to see Superman, who'd just saved maybe hundreds of people and lifted whole cars, collapse in pain), and I was scared with Clark (though I love that he had trouble being hopeful for himself, even though we all know if it had been Lois, he would have never given up hope at all) through their waiting game, and I loved that Clark got a little chance to shine and that Jimmy was so impressed by him that he got great pictures of him on his 'normal' rescue. And I was biting my nails a bit through the hospital time -- I was actually a bit relieved that you didn't dwell too much on the day-by-day events, because I don't know that I would have made it if I saw his parents' and Perry and Jimmy's reactions to him being on life support. Lois's were bad enough!
And sad as the demise of New Krypton is, and the death of Ching, I can't help but be glad at how it all fell out. I love that Clark inspired Ching to be noble and helpful and brave, to emulate Clark as he'd seen him, and I love that Zara was cool-headed and sacrificing enough to immediately know how she could save Clark. I also liked the little nod to how hard it is for Clark to use his powers and how he does it so much more naturally than anyone else -- and that he can find Lois so quickly!
Anyway, so glad for the happy ending, even if there were quite a few tears along the way. Such an intriguing concept, and I liked how it brought in Deathstroke and the aging machine -- and Klein's characterization was PERFECT! Thanks so much for the thought-provoking tale!
